USDA APHIS Defend the Flock

“Healthy Flocks, Healthy Families”

WEBINAR TRANSCRIPT: March 3, 2022

>> Hello, everyone, thank you for joining the webinar. 

Today's presentation, Defend the Flock, Healthy Flocks, Healthy 

Families, is part of the USDA's Defend the Flock campaign, 

promoting awareness about the importance of biosecurity and 

ways to prevent the spread of infectious poultry diseases.

We are here today to support you, and your flocks with 

expanded biosecurity resources. I'm Doctor Julie Gauthier with 

the USDA, today I'm joined by Doctor Kathy Benedict from the 

Centers for Disease Control, and Mr. Greg Privett, president of 

Privett Hatchery in Portales, New Mexico. I have a few 

housekeeping items to share before we start. Realtime streaming 

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webinar has concluded. The Q&A will be posted along with a 

recording of this webinar, on the Defend the Flock website. Be 

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Q&A and the recording are available. We will share those on-line 

destinations at the end of the webinar.

Now we will take a few minutes to introduce ourselves. I'm 

Julie Gauthier I have been part of USDA APHIS for 19 years, and 

I work exclusively on poultry health programs. I'm a veterinarian, 

then an epidemiologist. Until a few years ago I operated a small 

family farm business raising heritage breed poultry.

Doctor Benedict, please tell me a little bit about yourself.

>> Thanks, Julie. Hello. My name is Kathy Benedict, and I 

am a public health veterinarian at the division of foodborne, water 

borne, and environmental diseases Center for Disease Control 

and prevention. I currently work on multi-state outbreaks of 

Salmonella and E. Coli resulting from with Exposure to animals 

and pet products. I'm happy to be here today to represent CDC 

and to participate in the webinar. Back over to you, Julie.

>> Thank you, Kathy. Mr. Privett, please tell us about 

yourself.
>> Thank you for allowing me to participate in this 

discussion. My name is Greg Privett, I'm a second-generation

poultry farmer. I have raised poultry my entire life, but it has been 

my sole profession for the last 33 Years, I'm the president of 

Privett hatchery and the current chairman of Bird Shippers of 

America. I am the New Mexico representative to the NPIP, and 

the stakeholder representing the mail order industry to 

USDA/APHIS.

>> Thank you, Greg. The U.S. poultry industry is one of the 

largest in the world and an important sector of our agricultural 

economy. We also have a long, rich heritage of raising backyard 

poultry in the United States. And many of us enjoy keeping a 

family poultry flock for a combination of reasons such as fun, 

competition, tradition, or a little income. Through the Defend the 

Flock program, we encourage you and all flock owners to prepare 

for poultry disease outbreaks and make biosecurity an everyday 

practice. Biosecurity means using all available methods to keep 

diseases and pathogens that carry them away from birds, 

property, and people, and turning these methods into everyday 

habits. Keeping birds safe from infectious disease is a top priority 

and responsibility for all owners, growers, workers, and 

enthusiasts who want to raise poultry successfully.

As flock keepers, many of you are interested in learning 

more about the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza that 
is occurring in the United States right now. Before we start our 

discussion on Salmonella, let's take a few moments and address

the current poultry health emergency.

Later in the webinar, we will be discussing types of 

Salmonella bacteria which are a threat to human health, but not a 

threat to bird health. Avian influenza is very different, it's caused 

by a virus that is a serious threat to bird health, but CDC 

considers it to be a low public health threat to people.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus is carried by wild 

birds, often wild ducks, that usually show no signs of disease, but 

the virus is lethal to domestic poultry and can kill most of a flock in 

just a few days. It is very rare for a person to become infected 

about high path AI, and in fact, no human cases of infection with 

this virus have ever been detected or reported in the United 

States.

Wild birds are the source of infection for the backyard flocks 

that have been affected in this year's object, and wide life officials 

have found more than 250 infected wild birds in different parts of 

the country since January. At this time and until the outbreak is 

over, I strongly recommend poultry keepers confine their birds to 

their coops and do everything they can to prevent contact 

between wild birds and domestic poultry flocks. Because wild 

ducks are natural hosts for the virus, do not allow poultry to visit 

outdoor ponds while mixed with wild ducks and other wild birds. 
Once a poultry flock is infected with the virus, the flock becomes a 

source of infection for other poultry. Birds, people, equipment, 

feed, and other materials that have been in contact with the 

infected flock should not be moved as they can carry the virus to 

other flocks.

It is especially important to report sick birds or usual bird 

deaths to state or federal animal health officials either through 

your state veterinarian or through your USDA's toll-free number 

that is 1-866-536-7593.

You can keep up to date about the outbreak and know 

where infections are occurring by visiting the USDA APHIS page 

that lists cases in domestic poultry and wild birds. Visit

www.bit.ly/USDA_HPAI_2022detections.

Greg, I imagine you are concerned about high path AI 

affecting your hatchery. What steps do you take to protect your 

breeder flocks and your hatchery from high path AI?

>> Privett Hatchery is a participant in the NPIP H5/H7 AI 

Clean Program and are actively testing and monitoring for AI. We 

follow the NPIP 14 biosecurity points in subpart E, and other 

active biosecurity measures. We are continually working with 

employees on the educational piece with ensuring that they 

understand the heightened risk and their role to play in keeping 

the hatchery and flocks safe.

There are no guaranties with AI. I think sometimes we forget 
that programs are not a guaranty that nothing will ever happen.

But we have a very strong surveillance program, and we also 

have biosecurity and education. We have strong partnerships with 

industry, the states, and APHIS. This means that if it does 

somehow get into a poultry operation, we are able to act very 

quickly and use the network of people to help. Obviously, though, 

prevention is the aim.

>> The CDC says that the recent high path AI infections in 

U.S. wild birds and poultry pose a negligible risk to the public. 

Kathy, can you point to people to sources of information about 

human health and avian influenza?

>> Yes. The links on the slide are for two articles on the 

avian influenza situation right now, and the main CDC website for 

avian influenza resources.

>> USDA APHIS has many resources available that will help 

you prepare for poultry disease outbreaks. The biosecurity 

principles that we promote through the Defend the Flock 

campaign will help protect your flocks from germs that cause 

infectious diseases, whether the germs are bacteria like the 

Salmonella or viruses that cause avian influenza, and other 

contagious poultry diseases. This slide includes links to past 

webinars that provide additional information on high path AI such 

as the signs and symptoms, what to do if you suspect, how to 

mitigate risks, and its impacts to both small flock growers and 
commercial producers. At the end of this webinar, I will review 

other free tools and resources available to help you defend your 

flocks.

Spring is almost here, and people are looking forward to 

getting outside. Some will be starting or expanding their home 

poultry flocks. I was at my local farm store a couple of days ago, 

and I saw the schedule for chick arrivals for March and April. The 

store has their brooders ready for the cute fluffy chicks to arrive. 

Greg, I imagine your hatchery is busy this time of year, getting 

ready to provide the chicks. Could you tell us about your 

business?

>> I don't think the word busy comes close to describing 

what we are right now. Privett Hatchery is one of the largest mail 

order hatcheries in the country. We supply farm and ranch stores 

throughout the nation, we also supply chicks to individuals, there's 

a tremendous amount of coordination to make sure that the 

chicks arrive on time to your stores, offering over 175 varieties 

and maintaining all the breeding stock for this is a year-around 

endeavor.

>> Some of my friends and family have a newfound passion 

in growing their own food, gardening, and keeping a small home 

flock of poultry. What have you noticed over the years and 

recently about some trends in small flock ownership?

>> The trend I'm noticing is more of a back to nature it
started about 10 years ago, the COVID epidemic has pushed to 

levels I have never seen. We have seen that there are two types 

of owners now, those who only want the best layers, regardless of 

the appearance of the birds, the other is more inclined to 

purchase the fancy or more rare, unusual type of birds. Egg color 

as huge fact in this, also, blue, green, and dark chocolate-colored

eggs are the rage right now.

>> Kathy, it seems like you and I have similar jobs, but with 

a twist. My team at APHIS works with small flock keepers to help 

them raise healthy poultry and your team at the CDC works with 

small flock keepers to help them raise healthy families. Many of 

the principles of infection control and biosecurity apply to both 

poultry and human health. Please tell us about your team's work.

>> That's right, Julie. My team at CDC works to investigate 

outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness and provide 

recommendations to prevent these infections so that people stay 

healthy around their animals and pets. Evidence year we see 

large outbreaks of Salmonella illnesses in people who have 

contact with poultry and backyard flocks. Poultry can carry 

Salmonella while looking healthy and clean, so it's especially 

important that people take simple precautions like hand washing 

every time they are interacting with poultry or their environment 

like coops to prevent getting sick.

>> Like Greg, I expect you have seen some trends in poultry 
keeping by U.S. households also. What are the trends you have 

discovered about Salmonella infections and people who keep 

small flocks?

>> We have also seen an increase in illnesses and 

outbreaks linked to backyard poultry over the last few years, we 

notice in our outbreaks that people tend to have close interactions 

with their poultry, which is great for companionship, but might 

increase risk for getting Salmonella infection.

>> How do people become infected with Salmonella? What 

are the signs of infection?

>> People can get sick from touching backyard poultry or 

anything from their environment, and then touching their mouth or 

food and swallowing Salmonella germs. People may experience 

diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The symptoms usually 

start within 6 hours to four days after infection and last four to 

seven days. Most people have mild illness and recover on their 

own with just supportive care. There are some people, like 

children under five years old, adults 65 years and older, and those 

with weakened immune systems that are more at risk for severe 

Salmonella infections. It's especially important for families with 

these groups to follow the CDC recommendations for keeping 

backyard poultry so that they can stay healthy.

>> There are thousands of strains of Salmonella bacteria in 

the world, only a few of them cause disease in poultry. It's 
common for birds to carry Salmonella bacteria without becoming 

sick or showing any signs of infection. Greg, will you tell us about 

your experience with Salmonella infections in poultry?

>> Sure. Salmonella is extremely common in all poultry. I 

have always said that God created Salmonella and needed a 

place to keep it safe and warm, so God made chickens. But all 

kidding aside, it's a serious issue in commercial and backyard 

poultry. Poultry are rarely affected by Salmonella, which means 

they do not get sick or show any signs of illness making it difficult 

to determine the presence of Salmonella in birds. The lab testing 

is the only way to identify and categorize most Salmonella. 

Salmonella pullorum and Salmonella gallinarum, the bacteria that 

cause pullorum and foul typhoid are the two main types of 

Salmonella that will harm birds. The NPIP, the National Poultry 

Improvement Plan, is a voluntary program that was started in 

1935 with one of its prime objectives, to eliminate the pullorum, 

since that bacteria can be transmitted from hen to her progeny, 

and the pullorum was severely impacting the growth of the poultry 

industry and causing lots of birds to die. Today we check for 

pullorum. For example, all NPIP certified hatcheries that ship 

poultry are required to maintain a PT clean status and to maintain 

sanitation standards. Without this NPIP certification, most states 

will not allow poultry to be imported. Several hatcheries go 

beyond the PT clean status and hold additional NPIP certifications 
like the NPIP Salmonella monitored program.

>> That's right. Your hatchery participates in the NPIP 

Salmonella Monitored program, too. Could you describe that 

program and what you need to do to maintain your participation?

>> The Salmonella program was developed to provide 

prevention and control of Salmonella through regular testing. It is 

intended to reduce the incidence of Salmonella organisms in 

hatching eggs and day-old poultry through an effective and 

practical sanitation and testing program at the breeder farm and in 

the hatchery. This will afford other segments of the poultry 

industry an opportunity to reduce the incidence of Salmonella in 

their products.

We are required to test for Salmonella on a regular basis. 

This allows us to see any trends or what potential issues there 

may be. This information used to develop appropriate and 

practical Salmonella intervention measures, a qualified 

veterinarian familiar with the operation reviews the data and 

changes to the Salmonella program are made when needed.

>> We have talked about the problem of Salmonella 

infections that people can get through contact with live poultry. 

What can we do to prevent these infections in people? Poultry 

breeders, hatcheries, places that sell baby poultry, and the 

customer all have a role to play in prevention, Kathy, can you start 

with your advice for small flock keepers to reduce risk?
>> People should always wash their hands with soap and 

water right after touching poultry or anything in the area where 

poultry live and roam. This means that after people work in their 

coop and collect eggs, that they wash their hands as soon as 

possible, people can also consider keeping hand sanitizer at their 

coop and using that until soap and water are readily available. 

Adults should supervise hand washing for young children to make 

sure they are washing really well.

People should also keep a dedicated pair of shoes for 

working in their coop and keep those shoes outdoors such as in a 

shed or garage so that they don't bring germs on those shoes into 

their houses. We don't recommend people letting their birds roam 

freely in their houses either because Salmonella germs are on 

their bodies, can contaminate floors, kitchens, or any of the areas 

they are in, and people may not remember to fully clean those 

surfaces and get sick from touching them.

When it comes to eggs, people can reduce their risk of 

Salmonella infections by following the 5 C's. First on this list is 

coop cleaning. Maintaining a clean coop, floor, nests, and 

perches will help to keep eggs clean.

Next, collect eggs often. Eggs that spend a significant 

amount of time in the nest can become dirty or break. Cracked 

eggs should be thrown away. Third, clean eggs with fine 

sandpaper, a brush or cloth. Don't wash eggs because colder 
water can pull bacteria into the egg. Fourth, cool eggs by 

refrigerating after collection, and finally, cook eggs thoroughly, 

raw and under cooked eggs contain Salmonella bacteria that can 

make you sick. Additional information is available on the CDC 

website including info graphic that can be printed. Back over to 

you, Julie.

>> Greg, what can poultry breeders and hatcheries do to 

help keep their customers safe and avoid these infections?

>> I believe being a member of the NPIP is crucial. The 

structure of the NPIP guidelines gives all producers a set of 

practical and proven methods to deal with poultry diseases. 

Another is making sure the customers are aware of the potential 

Salmonella. Every order that leaves Privett Hatchery has a safe 

handling flyer produced by the CDC with it. Whether this is the 

first-time poultry owners or a retail store that sells thousands of 

chicks per month, every hatchery I deal with strives to produce 

the best quality and healthiest poultry they can.

Salmonella vaccines are available to hatcheries and 

breeders that can be given to help prevent the birds from carrying 

Salmonella. Many are available with the common Salmonellas, 

and custom vaccines tailored to specific Salmonellas found on a 

particular farm or facility. This, in combination with good sanitation 

practices, are effective tools to reduce the presence of Salmonella 

in chicks. Also, important to note that Salmonella could be 
introduced from other sources as well. Things such as rodents, 

amphibians, reptiles, and even people can harbor Salmonella.

>> Many people start their flocks by purchasing chicks, 

ducklings, or turkey poults from farm stores and other retailers. 

This question is for both of you: What can retailers and 

distributers who sell baby poultry directly to families do to help 

prevent Salmonella infections in their customers? Let's start with 

Kathy.

>> Retailers and distributers should clean and sanitize 

poultry display areas between shipments of new poultry by 

removing the debris first and then sanitizing. To keep customers 

healthy, provide hand washing stations or hand sanitizer next to 

the poultry display areas and tell customers to wash hand right 

after they leave these areas, display poultry out of reach of 

customers, especially children. And also provide health 

information to customers before purchases and put-up posters or 

stickers in the flock display areas.

>> Greg, your thoughts on best practices for farm stores and 

other retailers?

>> I think education is one of the biggest things we can do. 

Best practices and safe handling information is available to 

anyone. Prominent displays of safe handling procedures in the 

store and take-home safety best practices information. Simply 

making sure the customer does not have direct access to the 
birds is a great first step, stores are not petting zoos and should 

not be presenting birds for customers to handle. Display birds in a 

manner that allows people to see and appreciate them without the 

temptation of holding and playing with them. Make sure all 

employees are provided training on how to care for the birds. This 

includes knowing how to clean equipment properly and making 

sure they know how to clean equipment properly and making sure 

they know to wash or disinfect their hands after handling poultry. 

Sanitation and hygiene are your best tools to lessen the chances 

of Salmonella issues. The majority of the large retail stores have 

very well written guidelines for employees. Having managers 

make sure that all the employees understand and following the 

guidelines is one of the best interventions a farm store can have.

Has anyone purchased raw poultry products in the grocery 

store? There's a Salmonella warning label on every package. This 

has been used to educate the population of dangers of raw 

poultry products. This practice has been successful in reducing 

Salmonella infection across the country. Making consumers 

aware of the issue is a key step in reducing the occurrence of 

Salmonella issues. Once again, education is paramount.

>> We have discussed the main points of Salmonella 

transmission to people through contact with live poultry, but there 

is much more information to share and many questions to answer. 

Kathy, where can people go for more information about 
preventing human Salmonella infections and making sure they 

are handling live poultry safely?

>> The CDC website has a lot of valuable information, our 

healthy pets, healthy people page has a section dedicated to 

backyard poultry where you can find great resources including 

specific guidance and recommendations. You can find that 

website by visiting www.cdc.gov/backyardpoultry.

>> Greg, can you steer people towards sources of 

information about choosing baby poultry and getting off to a good 

start with a new flock?

>> Defend the Flock is a great resource for new poultry 

owners. Most hatcheries provide information also. The CDC also 

has a wealth of information on their Web page. There are 

numerous websites dedicated to poultry. But be aware some of 

the guidance is more anecdotal than proven methods, and in part, 

that is because there's no single silver bullet or solution for 

controlling Salmonella. I think it's extremely important to 

recognize that we don't have just one strategy, such as 

vaccination. We use a combination of strategies, including using 

trusted source flocks, such as those belonging to the NPIP, using 

good husbandry, sanitation practices, cleanliness, and 

vaccination when appropriate, regular testing and monitoring for 

the trend or problems and then making adjustments in 

consultation with poultry extension specialists and veterinarians 
when needed.

>> APHIS veterinarian services has developed a library of 

checklists that provide practical tips and recommendations. We 

encourage you to visit the Defend the Flock website to view and 

download these materials. All the checklists are available in 

multiple languages including Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and 

Tagalog. On our website you will find lots of other free tools, 

includes videos, recordings of prior webinars, info cards, 

newsletters, posters, and other resources. APHIS has also 

created social media content to help promote biosecurity. 

Infographics covering many best practices are available in English 

and Spanish. We hope that you will share these with your 

colleagues and fellow poultry keepers on Facebook, Twitter, 

Instagram, and other social media channels to make sure 

everyone is using biosecurity every day, every time, no matter the 

size of the flock.

Be sure to check out more helpful information on our social 

media channels. This presentation, along with answers to your 

questions, will be available for download from the Defend the 

Flock website shortly. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and 

Twitter to be notified when the presentation is available.

And before we go, on behalf of APHIS, thank you, Kathy, 

and Greg, for sharing your valuable insights and your knowledge 

with us today. And thanks to all of you for joining us on this 
webinar. Let's keep our flocks and families healthy together.